Switching device



Oct. 19 1926. 1,603,289

H. w. O'NEILL SWITCHING DEVICE Filed May 4, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 19 1926. 1,603,289

H. w. ONEILL SWITCHING DEVICE Filed May 4, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /7 J/iii Patented Oct. 19, 1926.

UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY W. ONEILL, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SWITCHING DEVICE.

Application flledMay 4, 1922. Serial No. 558,491.

This invention relates to switching devices, and particularly .to such devices. for use in telephone or telegraph'systems.

One of the objects of the invention is to improve a switching device of this character,

which, when associated with a first and sec- 0nd circuit, operates in response .to interrupted vibrations through'the first circuit to ill control the second circuit. 7

Another object of the invention is to control a plurality of circuits by a .common .vibrating element.

To attain the objects of this invention a diaphragm, to which a sealed receptacle is suitably fixed, is associated withthev poles of a permanent magnet, about which are windings connected to the first circuit. The receptacle is'provided with leading-in terminals to which a second circuit is connected. For controlling tlfe continuity of thesecond circuit, a circuit controller comprising a loose contact member is provided which is contained in the sealed receptacle and loosely engages the leading-in terminals. When a train of vibrations is propagated over the first circuit, the vibrations of the diaphragm will have the effect of causing the. loose contact member to be violently agitated, thereb opening the second circuit, which circuit w i 1 again be closed when the loose contact member is restored bygravity to its normal position upon the cessation of the vibrations in the first circuit. To insureopenin of the second circuit, the loose contact mem er may be so constructed that during agitation its contacting points vibrate out of phase with each other. By the use ofsupports' having insulated portions for the loose contact memher, and by varying theposition ofthe insuveution, a plurality of receptacles, having loose contact members for controlling circuits of different characteristics, may be mounted on the diaphragm.

Other and further features of the invention will be clear from the following detailed description thereof.

The invention is illustratedin the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1' shows a sectional viewof oneform of the switching an enlarged view of the receptacle and circuit controller shown in Fig. j1;.Fig. 2 shows an end view of one of the apertured members of the receptacle which support the vibrating member; 'Figs. 3 to '9, in-

clusive, show modifications of the receptacle and the, circuit controller contained in'the receptacle ;Figs. 4 5 and 6 show sectional viewsat the lines AA, 5, 5 and CC of Figs. 4 and 6, respectively; Fig. v10 shows anend view of two receptacles and means for supporting them; Figallshows a plan View of Fig. 10 and circuit, connections therefor. Like reference numbers have been usedto denote similar parts in all of the figures of the drawings.

Referring-now to Fig. l and Fig. 1 which illustrate one form of the switching device, 5 designates a casing, preferably of insulating material within which is located a semi-circular permanent magnet 6, tothe opposite poles of which are secured pole pieces 7, 7,

carrying windings 8, 8 and having their pole faces 9', 9 located adjacent thediaphragm 10,

which is clamped to thecasing 6 by means of a cap 11 of insulating material. Mounted on and suitably fixed to the diaphragm by means of a socket is a tubular sealed receptacle .16, preferably of glass, having a leading-in terminal 17 at each end and ametallic contact member 18 loosely engaging the leadingin terminals. The socket 13 may be spot welded or otherwise suitably fixed .at .its mid point tothe center of the diaphragm. The diaphragm 10 should, -of course, be of suitable magnetic material, but the socket-for fixing the receptacle to the dia phragm should be of non-magnetic material. The terminals 17, 17 may be of platinum, or anyother material suitable for leading-in terminals for glass. Although the shell 5 and thecap 11 are shown as composed of insulating material in the drawing, it is obvious that either theshell 5, or the cap 11.

and the shell 5 may bemade uprof metal in Inn rs into which the leading-in terminal we terminal are ri d the en ed. By looping the leading-in 17. the aperturcd members 15, y ielzl in the receptacle 16 when '5 tie receptacle are scaled.

a tr in o1 vibrations is passed through the windings 8. 8 (Fig. 1) the diaphragm will be rapidly vibrate l causing the loose contact member 18 to be agitated, resulting in the opening of the contacts 25, 25. By the use of two serially connected contacts 25, it has been found tha the second circuit will be open during the entire time that the diaphragm is in a state of vibration. It has also been found that it a train of vibrations is interrupted by an impulse sender, the loose contact member will "t'unc tion to produce corresponding direct cun rent impulses.

Fig. 3 shows a side elevation of a modification ot' the circuit controller shown in Fig. 9, the modification consisting of tapering the member 18 so that its ends will be ol ditferent weights and therefore have ditit'erent vibrating characteristics so that the ends will vibrate out of phase.

Fig. 1 shows areceptacle 16 containing metallic cup-shaped members 80, having insulated inserts or portions 31, 81 suitably lined to the leading-in terminals 17 17. In the arrangement shown in this figure, the leading-in terminals are normally conductivellv discontinuous due to the insulated portions 31, 31 so that it a local circuit connected thereto. it would be normally open. l

this figure consists of two metallic weights 0, 10, suitably joined by a metallic rod 433. nor supporting the loose contact member, metallic pins 3, 3 are provided. In order to insure that upon agitation the loose contact element will maintain the local circuit closed. it is desirable that a very small amount of clea 'ance should be provided between the pins 3 and the uppermost inside walls of the cups 30.

Fig. 5 shows an arrangement where the leading-in terminals 17. 17 are provided with metallic cup-shaped members 30, 30 having insulating discs 32. and insulated portions 70. 70. The loose contact member engaging the terminals 17. 17 is made up of dissimilar metallic weights or masses 40, il joined by a fie 'ble metallic member or rod 43, and provided with pins suitably The loose contact member shown in fixed thereto to engage the members 30, 30. The purpose of the discs 32, 32 is to guard against circuit closure on end thrusts during agitation of the loose contact member. By providing the insulated portions 7 0, the contacting surface for the pins 3, 3 is restricted. A circuit controller constructed in this manner provides normally a closed secondary or local circuit. By providing a flexible member 43 for joining the weights 4:0, 11, a better control of the local circuit is obtained since the weights it), 41 have a greater tendency to vibrate out of phase than when the rod 13 is rigid.

Fig. 6 shows an arrangement wherein the leading-in terminals 17, 17 support and engage with a loose contact member comprising two dissimilar cup-shaped members 10, 41 and a flexible metallic member 43 for joining the weights. Insulating discs 3'2, 32 are provided for the members 10 and t1 and are for the purpose of avoiding circuit closure during vibration of the loose contact member due to end thrust.

Fig. 7 shows an arrangement wherein the loose contact member is madeup of two dissimilar spherical or ball-shaped masses 50, 60, having bored cavities 53, to engage the leading-in terminals 17, 17. and having insulating discs 32, 32 to guard against circuit closure due to end thrusts on agitation. The masses 50, 60 are joined by flexible metallic member 51. The clearance between the top of the mass 60 and the inner surface of the upper wall of the receptacle 16 less than the clearance between the lower edges of the leading-in terminals 17 17 and the lower edges of the cavity in the mass 60 so as to insure disconnection of the terminals 17, 17 during agitation of the loose contact member. Vith this arrangement. the local circuit would be normally closed.

Fig. 8 shows an arrangen'ient wherein the leading-in terminals 17, 17 have suitably fixed thereto metallic members 55, 55, against which two aperture-d insulating members 59, 59 which tightly lit into the receptacle 16. rest. The members 59, 59 are provided with apertures 54, 54, through which a flexible metallic member or rod 58 extends so as to engage the metallic members 55, Suitably fined to the rod 58 are dissimilar spheriil masses 50, 60. In this arrangement the terminals 17 17 are normally electrically continuous.

Fig. shows a modificzition ot the circuit controller wherein the receptacle 1o consists of a tubular glass member having its ends closed by means of insulating members 81. 81. Vi a-.3: or any other suitable material may be used for seali: .r the tube utter thc ineni-iers 81, 81 are in place. The loose contact member shown herein consists of two dissimilar weights or masses 4-0 and 41 of metallic material suitably bored to engage the leading-in terminals 17 1'7 and joined by a flexible metallic rod 43, and provided with insulating discs 32, so as to guard against circuitclosure on end thrusts during agitation. In this arrangement the terminals l7, 17 are normally continuous.

Fig. shows two receptacles mounted in a socket 123.

Fig. 11 shows a plan view of Fig. 10 with a normally closed circuit including relay 3t and a normally open circuit including relay 96. A single vibrating element may thus control a plurality of circuits. Instead of a direct current source B an alternating current source may be used for all or a part only of the secondary circuits.

Referring now to Fig. 1, a. more detailed description of the operation of the relay will be given. There is illustrated schematically in Fig. 1, a circuit arrangement in which the switching device of this invention is useful. Connected to the windings of the switching device is a first circuit having conductors 20, .20. By means of any suitable switch such as 33 and an impulse sender 36, alternating current from a source 35 may be interruptedly applied to the conductors 20, to cause trains of vibrations to be set up in the diaphragm 10. Suitably fixed to the diaphragm 10 is the receptacle 16 containing the circuit controller for the second circuit. This second circuit is shown as containing a direct current source B, two serially connected contacts 25, (shown in Fig. 2) and a winding 84 of a relay. The relay may control any desired circuit (not shown). lVith the arrangement shown in Fig. 8, current normally flows in the local circuit to energize relay 34. Although the source B in the second circuit is shown as a direct current source, it is obvious that a source of periodically varying current could be employed. As soon as the diaphragm bcgins to vibrate in response to the alternating current in the first circuit, current in the second circuit will cease to flow and relay 3-1 will release due to the opening of the local circuit at contacts 25, \Vhen the alternating current is cut olffrom the first circuit the loose contact member 18 will resume its normal position due to the action of gravity resulting in a closure of the second circuit. It will be obvious that by using a circuit controller as shown in Fig. 1, the second circuit will be normally open instead of normally closed.

It will be understood that the diaphragm 10 may be mechanically tuned in any well known manner.

\Vhat claimed is:

1. In a switching device, the combination of; a permanent magnet, a winding associated with said magnet,a diaphragm operating in response to the flow of alternating current through said winding, a sealed receptacle mounted on said diaphragm, leading terminals for said receptacle, members sup ported by said terminals, insulated portions thereof, and a member contained in said receptacle loosely engaging said terminals, said insulated portions preventing electrical connection between said members during a portion of each excursion of said diaphragm.

In a switching device, the combination of a magnet, a winding associated with said magnet, and a diaphragm operating in response to the flow of alternating current through said winding, with a sealed receptacle mounted on said diaphragm, leading-in terminals for said receptacle, metallic memberssupported by said terminals, insulated portions therefor, a circuit and a member contained in said receptacle loosely engaging said terminals for controlling said circuit, said insulated portions preventing electrical connection between one of said first members and said second member during portions of the excursions of said diaphragm.

3. The combination with a vibratory element, of an electric circuit, and a circuit controller for said circuit actuated by said vibratory element, said circuit controller comprising a loose contact member consisting of a plurality of dissimilar weights joined by a rod.

at. The combination with a vibratory ele ment, of an electric circuit and a circuit controller for said circuit actuated by said vibratory element, said circuit controller con prising a loose contact member consisting of a plurality of dissimilar weights joined by a flexible member.

5. The combination with a vibratory element, of an electric circuit and a circuit con troller actuated by said vibratory element, said circuit controller comprising a loose contact member consisting of a plurality of dissimilar weights joined by a flexible mem ber of electric current conducting material.

6. The combination with a vib atory element, of a sealed receptacle mounted on said element, a loose contact member comprising a. plurality of dissimilar weights joined by an electric current conducting member,

vmoimted in said receptacle, and a circuit con trolled by said member.

7. The combination with a vibratory ele ment, of a sealed receptacle mounted on said element, a loose contact member comprising aplurality of dissimilar weights joined by an elect ic current conducting member, mounted in said receptacle, and circuit controlled by said member whereby the normal condition of the circuit with re spect to continuity is altered and such alteration is maintained during the vibration of the vibratory element.

8. A vibrating member, a circuit terminal, member loosely engaging the terminal and In electrical connection therewith While the vi ling mem iier at rest, and means for preventlxr the electrical connection between the leee engaged member and the terminal portion of each excursion of the me memhez.

9. ai s-rating; member ancl a plurality loose Contact (leviees controlled therehy, each said device being constructed and arranged l0 reeprmcl to Crill'erent types of \"l mrtlen of neirl vibrating member.

in \rirne; \x'hereo'h I hereunto subscribe my name eh 29th (11W 0'1? April. A. D. 1922.

HENRY W. ONEILL. 

